Where Form Follows Function . . . and the Sun

San Diego is known for many things: tacos, beaches, perfect weather . . . but did you know that we are also on the map for remarkable architecture?  Just look at the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge at Petco Park, the longest self-anchored pedestrian bridges in the world, to know that we take architecture seriously.  
 A modern stone path floats over six lanes of traffic suspended by a diagonal monolith that seems to be shooting into the sky, all connected by steel poles that look like they’re curving in midair.  Harbor Drive Bridge is just the tip of the iceberg
 as far as gorgeous buildings and structures go.  Here are some of our favorite places to visit:

First stop is the crown jewel of San Diego, a place we can’t stop writing about or visiting: Balboa Park.  This esplanade has so much beauty and history, it’s impossible to cover everything in just one tour, which is convenient since they offer six different walking tours.  On the first Friday of each month at 10:00am, there is the Architecture Heritage Tour led by the Committee of 100, an organization devoted to preserve the beauty of Balboa Park.  

You can also join the Balboa Park History Stroll, presented by the San Diego History Center (Thursdays 11am and 1pm), for a one-hour tour walking down the park’s El Prado.  The History stroll costs $12 and reservations are recommended.  There are so many diverse edifices, from the Spanish colonial Museum of Man to the 1960s Modern Air & Space Museum, you truly cannot visit Balboa Park enough.

The University of California San Diego might be one of the state’s younger universities but thanks to a stellar medical program, engineering school, and the world famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography, they are one of the top educational facilities in the country.  UCSD is also on the map for having one of the most architecturally daring layouts on the planet.  Their unique buildings offer a history of modernism (from the 1950s to today), and their campus is dotted with larger than life sculptures and installation art pieces.  

The Library that stands in the middle of the school is like its own stunning work of art.  Named after one of La Jolla’s most famous residents, Theodor Geisel, who you might know by his pen name, Dr. Seuss.  The library resembles a futurist tree growing out of the concrete, definitely something you would see in a Dr. Seuss book.  The works of art are part of the Stuart Collection and feature 18 unbelievable pieces from artists all over the globe.  This MAP of the campus will weave you around the distinct buildings and take you by all the works of art; we suggest you do not miss Tim Hawkinson’s ‘Bear,’ a 23 foot tall teddy bear made of stone!

Tour Guide Tim’s ‘Explore San Diego Series’ is an amalgamation of the best tours around San Diego that highlight different neighborhoods and their surrounding buildings.  Their website offers links to specific tours as well as lists of notable stops and locations that architecture and history buffs won’t want to miss.  For example, there’s a link to the Heritage Park Victorian Village tour, which lists the Victorian-style homes and San Diego’s first Synagogue in Old Town San Diego.  

There is also info on the Historical Buildings in Downtown, which offers tours by members of the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation.  The Gaslamp Quarter saw its fastest growth in 1867, when it was built up to redirect the center of San Diego closer to the bay.  There are more than 90 buildings in and around the Gaslamp Quarter that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and your guide will point out notable facts and famous residents of the area, like Wyatt Earp.  

Spend a few days exploring the different pockets of our city and you'll see buildings frozen from the Victorian era, perfect examples of Mid-century Modern, and futuristic structures that look like they defy gravity.  You could even start in Mission Bay, admiring the charming beach cottages and spacious homes on the sand.  Check out our Website for even more amazing examples of California-cool beach homes.  

Ready for a Little Adventure?

This week’s post is dedicated to exploration and we’re not talking about just exploring the streets of San Diego.  From space to land to the sea, we’ve got adventure on the mind.  Thankfully, our lovely city has everything you need for a daring and unforgettable good time.

Let’s start with underwater exploration.  The ocean waters are warming up, and now is perfect time to snorkel or scuba dive at La Jolla Cove.  This is, with a doubt, the most popular and beautiful place to explore life under the sea, and we suggest you get a dive in before the busier summer months.  The north-facing beach means its waters are calm and crystal clear and the sea life (sea lions, seals and fish) has grown accustomed to its many human visitors.  Just remember, this is a protected area so there’s no touching the marine life. 

From underwater exploration to exploring the open seas; what conjures up sailing around the ocean more than historical pirates?  We’ve highlighted the Maritime Museum a couple of times (like Here and Here), and there’s a good reason: they have great activities for the whole family.  This Saturday and Sunday are their Pirate Days, a boisterous event everyone will love, complete with a pirate costume contest for the tots.  The kids will love the carnival games, the treasure hunt, and the crafts.  The parents will enjoy the knot tying, rope making, and sword fight demonstrations.

San Diego has many parks that you can get lost exploring in, but one of our favorites to explore comes with a stunning view.  Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial in Soledad Park gives you a 360-degree view of the city and is a beautiful tribute to those veterans who have served this country.  The memorial sits 822 feet above San Diego and honors more than 2,700 veterans with plaques for each one.  There are open grass areas, perfect for picnics, and descending nature walks to get close and personal to the wildlife.  At the top, gazing north, look for the cliffs of Torrey Pines and to the south, Coronado and Mexico. 

On Saturday, May 16^th, the San Diego Air &Space Museum will have its 12^th annual Space Day Celebration.  Not all of us can explore space in real life, but this will be your chance to touch a meteorite, talk to space experts, and design your own space patch.  As part of the special day, the museum’s space galleries are open for viewing, including a flown Apollo spacecraft, moon rocks, and space suits.  Kids can build and fly a paper rocket and grab a free poster on their way out.  This will truly be a fascinating event.  The fun starts at 10 am and goes until 2 pm.  Kids 17 and under are free with a paid adult. 

 Whether you want to explore subterraneous worlds or outer space (vicariously, of course), San Diego, is the place to be.  Mission Bay can be your base camp to ultimate adventure.  Just be sure you’ve packed your snorkel mask, sea legs, hiking boots, and space helmet.